![The author on Washington Column wearing the Patagonia Mirco Puff Storm Jacket. [Photo] Andy Hoeckel](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/patagonia-micro-puff-storm-jacket-1-2-930x620.jpeg)
Chris Van Leuven has been weathering the winter in Yosemite and Colorado with the Patagonia Micro Puff Storm Jacket. He found it to be a… Read More »Patagonia Micro Puff Storm Jacket: Everyday layering for cold, wet conditions
![Chris Van Leuven testing the new Petzl Nomic ice tools in Rocky Mountain National Park. [Photo] Colby Rickard](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xpetzl-nomic-1-2-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.gWhUQgIcSk.jpg)
Chris Van Leuven tested the latest version of the Petzl Nomic ice tools. He reports that the upgraded Nomics have that same familiar look and… Read More »The new Petzl Nomic: Same swing with new picks, a mini hammer, functional spike and improved handle
![The author hiking into Bear's Den in Rocky Mountain National Park for dry tooling. Note the (fruit) boots fastened to the side clips. [Photo] Colby Rickard](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/patagonia-cragsmith-45-1-1-930x620.jpg)
The Cragsmith 45 is Patagonia’s largest backpack, which the company refers to as the “gear dumpster.” Chris Van Leuven has been lugging it around for… Read More »Spacious and multi-use: the Patagonia Cragsmith 45
![Corey Flynn starts the first pitch of Scary Canary (5.12b/c R), Eldorado Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Van Leuven](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/black-diamond-atc-pilot-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Chris Van Leuven used the Black Diamond ATC Pilot to catch gear-ripping falls and liked its simple design and smooth rope handling so well that… Read More »Black Diamond ATC Pilot: A solid one trick pony
![Beth Goralski takes shelter from sharp points while David Roetzel starts up Saphira in the Rigid Designator Amphitheatre Vail, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Van Leuven](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xgrigri-plus-2-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.MytaL12bTU.jpg)
The new GriGri+ is heavier and packed with new features, such as a switch for toprope/lead-belay modes and an anti-panic function. Chris Van Leuven learns… Read More »The Petzl GriGri+ is more durable and has more safety features
![Chris Van Leuven leads FM (5.11c) in Boulder Canyon, Colorado, while wearing the Ortovox Merino Fleece Light Hoody. [Photo] Paul Gagner](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ortovox-merino-hoody-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Chris Van Leuven wears hoodies often and has tested his share of them. His latest review awards the Ortovox Merino Fleece Light Hoody four stars.… Read More »One Flashy Hoody: Ortovox Merino Fleece Light
![Rob Kepley on Dos Equis (5.10b), Cathedral Spires, South Platte, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Van Leuven](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xfive-ten-quantum-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.N9y5r4EB1u.jpg)
The Five Ten Quantum rock shoes were designed to be an all-around, high performance shoe. Chris Van Leuven tested them on slabs, cracks and steeps,… Read More »The redesigned Five Ten Quantum: Versatile, high performance climbing shoes
![The author attempting FM (5.11c) on Elephant Buttress in Colorado's Boulder Canyon. [Photo] Paul Gagner](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xbd-first-light-hoody-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.KFrJZwoYBi.jpg)
The Black Diamond First Light Hoody does its job but it’s bulky for climbing and some features could be improved. Chris Van Leuven gives it… Read More »Warm, durable and breathable: Black Diamond First Light Hoody
![Scott Yorko on belay duty in Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Van Leuven](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xedelrid-topaz-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.UJP47yQ1xC.jpg)
The 9.2mm Edelrid Topaz Pro Dry CT is a skinny rope that handles like a mid-weight. Chris Van Leuven has put thin cords to the… Read More »A slim workhorse: Edelrid Topaz Pro Dry CT 9.2mm rope
![The author wears the VOORMI River Run Hoodie while climbing Animal Magnetism (5.11) in Boulder Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Luis Felipe Ossa Rodriguez (aka Lucho Salsa)](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/river-run-hoodie-1-1-930x620.jpg)
The VOORMI River Run Hoodie keeps Chris Van Leuven comfy in all kinds of conditions, from rainy trails and toothy offwidths to social scenes. He… Read More »VOORMI River Run Hoodie: A featherweight top for all seasons
![Peter Holben leads Country Club Crack (5.11b/c) at Castle Rock in Boulder Canyon, Colorado, in one 150-foot pitch. [Photo] Chris Van Leuven](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dragon-cams-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Chris Van Leuven compares the new DMM Dragon cams to other brands and finds he likes to mix and match for optimal weight and size-runs,… Read More »Updated DMM Dragon cams: Stable, easy to place and clean
Chris Van Leuven takes the Metolius Ultralight Master Cams on a cragging tour from New York to Colorado, and awards them four out of five… Read More »Metolius Ultralight Master Cams: Mostly Solid, Sometimes Wobbly
